No day is the same working within the claims department at Islands, which is great! I am continuously learning on a daily basis and wouldn’t have it any other way. It truly is a great place to work, as there is no ‘typical’ day in the office.
What do you think are the three most important skills to succeed in your career area?
To have patience, be a team player, and be approachable for me are three of the most important skills. Being a team player especially, is a skill which will lead you to be successful within Islands, as we all rely on each other.
Was this something you planned to do or did you change direction at any point in the past? If so, what was that and was it easy to do?
To be honest, a career in Insurance was not what I had in mind when I studied business at Highlands College. However, when choosing where to go for work experience I selected insurance as one of my options, as I wanted to know what it was about. Fast forward three years later, and here I am! I wouldn’t change a thing. The working environment is fantastic and very diverse.
What do you love most about working in your career area?
The people. You will meet and be able to work with great people, no matter what the day may bring someone will always make you smile. There is such a friendly environment within the office, which really makes a difference and makes work pleasant.
Are there any negative aspects of working in your career area that people considering it should be aware of?
There are days when you will be under pressure. Being in the claims department specifically, you do need to have the skills I mentioned above, but you also do need to have a certain strength whilst dealing with the workload. However, the rewards and sense of achievement within the job surely compensate any negative aspects.
What training / qualifications did you undertake for your current role or are you currently undertaking?
I was initially trained within the job and became a Claims Assistant. After a year of being an assistant, there was a job vacancy to become a Claims Handler. I was fortunate enough to be successful in my application and went through in-house training to become a handler. We now have our very own training office within the building where new employees are trained, and we also have external training for our current employees to develop their skills. Also, there are plenty opportunities to take exams and grow in the company.
Is there any other information that would be of interest to someone thinking of this career?
From dealing with Motor Claims and assisting clients with repairing their vehicles to dealing with Travel claims and supporting injured clients on their holiday really shows the diversity of the job. Therefore, if you are someone who is looking for a change in career and are keen to learn I would 100% consider Islands.
